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Advent

 

November 28-December 23

What do the candles in our Advent wreath mean? Why is there one rose candle and one white candle?

The Advent wreath, four candles on a wreath of evergreen, is shaped in a perfect circle to symbolize the eternity of God. In some churches, four purple candles, one for each week in Advent, are used with one larger white candle in the middle as the Christ candle. Other churches prefer three purple or blue candles with one candle being rose or pink, to represent joy.

The lighting of the first candle symbolizes expectation, the second symbolizes hope, the third joy and the fourth purity. The Christ candle is lit on Christmas Eve or Christmas Day reminding Christians that Jesus is the light of the world.

All About Advent

by Dean McIntyre

The season of Advent has been with us since the fourth century, although it has not been a part of the liturgical observance of all denominations and churches. With the mixing of Christmas and Advent during the weeks leading up to Christmas Day, there is often confusion of the two. Here are the basics of Advent:

When. Advent marks the beginning of the church year. It begins with the fourth Sunday before Christmas Day and ends Christmas Eve. If Christmas Day falls on a Sunday, Advent will last four full weeks. If Christmas Day falls on any other day of the week, Advent will last less than four weeks. If Christmas falls on a Monday, Tuesday, or Wednesday, all of Advent will be in December. If Christmas falls on any other day of the week, Advent will begin in November.

What. Advent comes from the Latin word, adventus, meaning “coming.” It is a season to prepare for the coming of Christ in various meanings: the promised coming of the Messiah to the Jews, the coming of Jesus being born in Bethlehem, the promised return of the risen Christ in final victory, and the continual coming of Christ into the lives and hearts of believers.

Liturgical Context. Advent, which marks the beginning of the liturgical year, is part of the cycle of seasons that includes Advent, Christmas, and Epiphany, all related in some fashion to the coming of Jesus. That cycle is followed by Lent, Holy Week, Easter, and the long Pentecost season.

History. Advent began in France in the fourth century. In various times and locations of the church, Advent has been observed for three, four, and six weeks leading to Christmas. Some churches today are experimenting with incorporating Advent themes and symbols in worship during the weeks prior to the actual start of Advent in the hope that they can avoid the conflict of Advent versus Christmas observance during the immediate weeks prior to Christmas. (See “A Modest Proposal for Advent/Christmas Peace.”)

Color. The color for Advent has traditionally been purple. Some churches have adopted blue for Advent. In practice, however, as churches increasingly incorporate the symbols and decorations of Christmas during Advent, more and more we see red, green, and gold appearing. The United Methodist Book of Worship upholds the traditional color of purple for Advent, signifying penitence and royalty; but it also allows blue, the color of hope.

Themes, Images, Symbols, and Practices. There are a number of historic and traditional themes observed during Advent:

  • Preparing to celebrate the coming of Christ:
    • The coming of the Messiah to the Jews.
    • The coming of Jesus into the world at Bethlehem.
    • The second coming of Jesus in final victory.
    • The continual coming of Jesus into the hearts and lives of believers.
  • A time of penitence and fasting, austerity, seriousness, reading of Scripture, hearing and proclaiming the Word in sermon and song; waiting and longing for the Messiah’s coming.
  • Symbols: Chrismon tree with its white monograms, the Jesse tree, Advent calendars, trumpets (for Isaiah), the messianic rose, star of Jacob, and fleur-de-lis. Modern innovation includes the use of an Advent wreath with four candles and themes around hope-peace-love-joy, John-Elizabeth-Joseph-Mary, or some other pattern.
  • Our Book of Worship (p.238) calls for the following themes for the Sundays of Advent:
    • First Sunday: the final return of Christ in victory; the Second Coming
    • Second and Third Sundays: John the Baptist, his role, his words, his teachings
    • Fourth Sunday: the events immediately preceding Jesus’ birth

Hymns and Songs. The United Methodist Hymnal, The Faith We Sing, and the General Board of Discipleship worship website provide many excellent hymns and songs for Advent worship. Consider these:
GBOD website: Christmas & Advent Music and Lyrics

The United Methodist Hymnal

  • 195-216, United Methodist Hymnal
  • 184, “Of the Father’s Love Begotten”
  • 626, “Let All Mortal Flesh Keep Silence”
  • 706, “Soon and Very Soon”
  • 717, “Battle Hymn of the Republic” (st. 1,3,5)
  • 718, “Lo, He Comes with Clouds Descending”
  • 719, “My Lord, What a Morning”
  • 720, “Wake, Awake, for Night Is Flying”
  • 722, “I Want to Be Ready”
  • 724, “On Jordan’s Stormy Banks I Stand”
  • 729, “O Day of Peace That Dimly Shines”
  • 730, “O Day of God, Draw Nigh”

The Faith We Sing

  • 2085, “He Came Down”
  • 2089, “Wild and Lone the Prophet’s Voice”
  • 2090, “Light the Advent Candle”
  • 2091, “The King of Glory Comes”
  • 2092, “Like a Child”
  • 2093, “The Snow Lay on the Ground”
  • 2095, “Star-Child”
  • 2154, “Please Enter My Heart, Hosanna”
  • 2187, “Now It Is Evening”
  • 2192, “Freedom Is Coming”
  • 2284, “Joy in the Morning”
  • 2232, “Come Now, O Prince of Peace